North Korea is reportedly speeding up its efforts to stockpile materials for nuclear weapons by renovating its Yongbyon nuclear facility.
On January 6, U.S.-based North Korea monitoring website 38 North reported, “Commercial satellite imagery of the Yongbyon nuclear complex in Pyongan Province reveals significant changes,” adding that the roof repairs of the Radiochemical Laboratory’s thermal (steam) plant appear to be complete.
The report further analyzed that the 5MWe reactor, a key facility for producing weapons-grade plutonium in the complex, has resumed operations after a three-month shutdown.
At the Radiochemical Laboratory (RCL), roof repairs on the thermal power plant have seemingly been completed, and excavation activities of unknown purpose were observed nearby.
The report noted, however, that while smoke has occasionally been seen emanating from the power plant, it is not frequent enough to indicate active nuclear fuel reprocessing activities. It concluded that full-scale reprocessing operations do not appear to be underway at this time.
Satellite images also reveal that ice near the cooling water discharge point of the 5MWe reactor has partially melted, suggesting that cooling water is being discharged. This is seen as an indication that the reactor has resumed operations.
Additionally, signs of unexplained excavation were observed near the laboratory. Imagery from December 9 showed approximately 40 one-meter-diameter holes dug in the courtyard of a small complex located 0.5 kilometers northeast of the laboratory. This site has previously been associated with a military construction brigade.
By December 24, the number of holes had more than doubled. Several 1.5-meter-square holes were also covered on the west side of the complex, with a large number of workers observed at the site.
Regarding this activity, 38 North stated, “Considering the location of the facility and its proximity to a radioactive waste disposal site, it remains to be seen whether this activity is related to radioactive waste management.”
The outlet added that these developments align with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s directive to expand the country’s nuclear arsenal. “North Korea is accelerating its preparations to stockpile materials for nuclear weapons,” it concluded.
By Bae Jae-sung [hongdoya@joongang.co.kr]
